Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • How Aspirin Works

    Uploaded by

    api-282232014
    13 views3 pages
    Aspirin is a medication that has two main actions in the body. It is an antiprostaglandin (antiinflammation, feverreducing, pain reliever) and an antiplatelet ('blood thinner') agent. Both actions are the result of the effect of aspirin on an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase, or COX. COX is responsible for the formation of a group of inflammatory mediators known as prostaglandins.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    how aspirin works

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Aspirin is a medication that has two main actions in the body. It is an antiprostaglandin (antiinflammation, feverreducing, pain reliever) and an antiplatelet ('blood thinner') agent. Both actions are the result of the effect of aspirin on an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase, or COX. COX is responsible for the formation of a group of inflammatory mediators known as prostaglandins.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    13 views3 pages

    How Aspirin Works

    Uploaded by

    api-282232014
    Aspirin is a medication that has two main actions in the body. It is an antiprostaglandin (antiinflammation, feverreducing, pain reliever) and an antiplatelet ('blood thinner') agent. Both actions are the result of the effect of aspirin on an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase, or COX. COX is responsible for the formation of a group of inflammatory mediators known as prostaglandins.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 3

    Aspirinsmechanismofaction

    Aspirinisamedicationthathastwomainactionsinthebody.
    1. Anantiprostaglandin(antiinflammation,feverreducing,pain
    reliever)and
    2. Anantiplatelet(bloodthinner)agent.
    Bothoftheseactionsaretheresultoftheeffectofaspirinonanenzymein
    thebodycalledcyclooxygenase,orCOX
    COXandInflammation
    Whenthebodyisinjured,inflammationoccursaspartofthenaturalhealing
    process.Inflammationisfacilitatedbyanumberofenzymes,mediatorsand
    differentcells,suchaswhitebloodcells.Oneenzymeinvolvedin
    inflammationiscyclooxygenase(COX).COXisresponsibleforthe
    formationofagroupofinflammatorymediatorsknownasprostaglandins.
    AspirininhibitsCOX,inturnstoppingtheformationof
    prostaglandins;henceaspirinactsasanantiinflammatoryagentin
    thisprocess.
    UsesofAspirin
    COXandbloodthinning
    COXalsoplaysaroleincessationofbleeding.Bloodclottingistheresultof
    acomplexmechanismwhichinvolvesmanydifferentcells,includingatype
    knownasplatelets.Whenbloodvesselsaredamagedorarediseased,
    plateletsclumptogetherovertheholeorvesselteartofacilitaterepair.COX
    activatesachemicalknownasthromboxaneA2thatcausesplateletstostick
    togethertoformaplugoverthedamagedarea.Theaggregationofplatelets
    (plug),inconcertwiththeclottingprocess,resultsinafibrinclotwhich
    stopsbleedingandaidsrepairofthebloodvessel.
    AspirininhibitsCOX,therebyreducingtheabilityofplateletstoaggregate.
    Thisiswhyaspirinisknownasabloodthinnerorantiplateletagent.Itis
    alsowhyincreasedbleedingisasideeffectofaspirin.Althoughmajor
    bleedingisrare,aspirincancausethis.Bloodthinninghowever,isuseful

    topreventheartattacksandstrokes.Itisimportanttotalktoyourdoctor
    beforestartingaspirineventhoughyoucanbuyitwithoutaprescription.
    Sideeffectsofaspirin
    Prostaglandinsareproducedbycellsintheliningofthestomachandforma
    protectivebarrieragainsttheharshstomachacid.
    Aspirininhibitstheformationofprostaglandins,inturndepletingthe
    protectivebarrierinthestomach,leadingtostomach(orpeptic)
    ulcers.

    "HowAspirinWorks."Aspree.Web.<http://www.aspree.org/AUS/aspree
    content/aspirin/howaspirinworks.aspx>.

    You might also like